By tamara
Memorial Day has become an occasion to gather with friends and family, to barbeque and light fireworks and, for some, a day to shop. Unfortunately, some may have forgotten the true meaning behind the holiday. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, a tradition that started after the Civil War where people would place flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. It was typically celebrated on May 30, though some places in the South held memorials on other dates. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which officially designated Memorial Day to fall on the last Monday in May.
While many Americans may appreciate the extended weekend, several organizations have called for the holiday to return to its original day of observance, as they feel the three-day holiday undermines the very meaning of the day. We should never forget that Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have given their lives in service of our country. These men and women, who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom, made it possible for us to enjoy a day at the beach or a backyard cookout. Please take a few moments this holiday to pause and reflect on what their sacrifices mean to each of us with these scholarships in honor of soldiers.
In honor of those who have served our country and those who continue to protect our freedoms, we respectfully say ‘Thank You’ and offer this list of scholarships in honor of soldiers that assist service personnel and their families in achieving the dream of a college education.
1. AFCEA General Emmett Paige Scholarship – The Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association Educational Foundation (AFCEA) offers 20 scholarships valued at $2,000 each. Applicants must be on active duty in the uniformed military services, veterans, or the spouses and/or dependents of a person on active duty in the uniformed military services. Current military and veterans must apply as college freshmen, while children and spouses must be enrolled as college sophomores or juniors at the time of application. Deadline: November 1.
2. Voice of Democracy Scholarship – This scholarship program is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and provides a $30,000 scholarship to the national award winner. A variety of other scholarship awards are also given at the local, district and state levels. Any U.S. student in grades 9 through 12, who is 19 years or younger, may apply. Applicants are judged based on their written and recorded answers to the question, ‘Is our Constitution still relevant?’ Deadline: November 1.
3. Veterans Partial Tuition Scholarship – The International Culinary Center is now offering $3,750 and $7,500 scholarships to military veterans who have been honorably discharged and are not eligible for The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Vet Success Program under Title 38 CFR chapter 31. The scholarships may be used for culinary and restaurant management courses at the school. Deadline: varies.
Aside from these scholarships in honor of soldiers, if you’d like to learn more about the opportunities for military personnel at college, be sure to check out the Student Veterans of America ‘Military to College’ Guide offered by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). To find more scholarships for active military, veterans and/or their family members, be sure to check out Unigo.com today!